Discover the Allure of Jade: Exploring its Rich Cultural Meaning & Value

Discover the Allure of Jade: Exploring its Rich Cultural Meaning & Value

 

Chinese Jade Carving

 

    In different part of the world the discovering and uses of the Jade, even the naming has its own stories. For example, the word "jade" is thought to come from the Spanish phrase "piedra de ijada," meaning "colic stone." Spanish conquistadors noticed indigenous peoples using jade to help with kidney pain, leading to this name. The term first appeared in print in 1569, credited to Dr. Monardes from Seville, Spain. By 1598, "ijada" had made its way into English, followed by "jadde" in 1777. In 1811, John Pinkerton, who coined the term gemology, mentioned "jad, the giada of the Italians." Early writers often used Latin, translating "piedra de ijada" as "lapis nephriticus," which comes from the Greek word "nephros," meaning "kidney." A. G. Werner from Freiburg, Germany, was the first to use "nephrite" in English in 1789. Then, in 1863, Professor A. Damour distinguished between the two types of jade and introduced the term "jadeite."
And as well as In China the first recorded use of the term for jade in China goes back to around 3000 BCE, when it was referred to as "玉" (yù), which means "jade." This name has been consistently used throughout history to highlight the stone's beauty and value. The character "玉" appears in ancient Chinese texts, showing its long-standing significance in Chinese culture, art, and spirituality. Culturally, jade represents not just a material object, but a symbol of virtue, nobility, and protection deeply embedded in Chinese heritage.
Let’s talk about jade—who doesn’t adore the majestic variety of colors this stone offers? As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “Gold has a price, jade is priceless.” This saying truly captures the essence of jade’s allure.
When it comes to jade, we often think of jadeite and nephrite, the two distinct varieties that can look quite similar at first glance. They can show off colors like gray-green, white, and shades ranging from brown to black. However, jadeite tends to steal the show, especially in Western markets, thanks to its vibrant green hue, which nephrite simply can’t match. You might come across terms like "Imperial jade," "gem jade," and "emerald jade" thrown around to describe high-quality, semitransparent jadeite rich in chromium. The preferences for these descriptors can vary, but one thing’s for sure—the rarest jade is highly coveted and can fetch extraordinary prices.
Have you heard of chloromelanite? It’s a very dark green to black opaque variety of jadeite often used in carvings, though it doesn’t carry much value as a gemstone. Yellow or red-brown jadeite is quite uncommon, while light lavender jadeite is more frequently encountered, appealing mostly to collectors. Then there’s rich-green jadeite, sometimes called "Yunan jade," which can be absolutely stunning when cut thin—allowing light to dance through and enhance its color. Just keep in mind, it might not always look as vibrant in reflected light.
Now, let’s chat about nephrite, pronounced "NEFF-rite." It’s less commonly used as a gemstone, although I’ve seen some striking dark grayish-green nephrite from Wyoming. While beautiful, it doesn’t quite reach the desirability of jadeite's finest greens. The best nephrite hails from New Zealand, known as "New Zealand greenstone" or "spinach jade." Although it has its value, it typically doesn’t command high prices due to its darker color.
In Chinese culture, translucent white to yellowish-white "mutton-fat jade" is highly prized, alongside mottled white jade with green "streamers," affectionately referred to as "moss-in-snow" jade. Jade often finds its way into symbolic carvings—think of the lotus blossom or the bat, which represents happiness in a clever pun; in Chinese, the words for bat and happiness are the same!
From a scientific perspective, jadeite is a silicate mineral made of sodium and aluminum, belonging to the pyroxene group. Nephrite, on the other hand, is a hydrous silicate mineral of calcium and magnesium, categorized within the tremolite-actinolite series of the amphibole group. The colors of both minerals can vary based on their oxide content, with jadeite’s most vibrant greens resulting from chromic oxide. The origins of jadeite remain a bit mysterious, but it likely formed through the metamorphosis of igneous rock deep within the Earth.
Nephrite can showcase a spectrum of colors from white to dark green, sometimes even displaying a cat's-eye effect when cut just right. While both jadeite and nephrite are undeniably beautiful, jadeite’s striking colors and translucency often make it the more desirable option for gem enthusiasts.
Jadeite and nephrite are sourced from various locations around the globe, each contributing unique qualities to this cherished gemstone. Jadeite has been known to the Chinese since the 18th century and primarily comes from upper Burma, especially within an eighty-mile radius of Mogaung. While mining methods have evolved, they still rely on traditional techniques. Workers often pray to the jade spirit before mining, and once they extract boulders, these are evaluated and taxed before reaching the main trading center. In contrast, nephrite has significant sources in Turkestan, particularly in Sinkiang Province, where deposits are found between hornblende schist and gneiss.
Other notable nephrite sources include Siberia's Lake Baikal region, New Zealand's Westland, and Wyoming, which has become a key supplier since the 1940s. We’ve also discovered nephrite in Alaska, British Columbia, Silesia, and Taiwan, with many spots yielding material of varying quality. While jadeite shines with its vibrant colors, nephrite carries historical significance and cultural value, making both varieties treasures in jewelry and art.
Diving into the Physical and Optical Properties of Jadeite and Nephrite:
So, what makes jadeite so special? It’s a silicate mineral made up of sodium and aluminum, with the chemical formula NaAl(SiO₃)₂. It features a granular to fibrous crystalline structure and crystallizes in a monoclinic system. With a hardness ranging from 6½ to 7, jadeite is known for its exceptional toughness. Its aggregate structure means it doesn’t show visible cleavage, and it typically has a fine granular to splintery fracture.
Jadeite’s specific gravity varies from 3.30 to 3.38, usually landing around 3.34, and it leaves a white streak. Optically, jadeite can be semitransparent to opaque, with polished surfaces exhibiting a vitreous to greasy luster while fracture surfaces appear dull. The refractive index generally falls between 1.66 and 1.68, often showing a single reading at 1.66. Jadeite also boasts a birefringence of 0.020, which is usually not measurable in cut stones, and shows a biaxial positive optic character. Its absorption spectra typically reveal a line at 4370 A.U. for translucent stones, with chrome-green varieties displaying three distinct lines in the red spectrum.
Now let’s contrast that with nephrite. It’s a hydrous silicate mineral composed of calcium and magnesium, represented by the formula CaMg₅(OH)₂(Si₄O₁₁)₂. Nephrite forms a fibrous crystalline aggregate and also belongs to the monoclinic system. It has a hardness of 6 to 6½ and is celebrated for its toughness, often surpassing jadeite. Like jadeite, nephrite doesn’t show visible cleavage, and it has a fine granular to splintery fracture. Its specific gravity ranges from 2.90 to 3.30, typically around 2.95, and it also leaves a white streak. Nephrite can be semitransparent to opaque, with polished surfaces appearing vitreous to greasy.
The refractive index ranges from 1.606 to 1.632, typically yielding a single reading around 1.61. Nephrite has a birefringence of 0.026 and displays a biaxial negative optic character. Unlike jadeite, nephrite rarely shows absorption lines, though actinolite fibers may produce a faint line at 5000 A.U. When subjected to heat, nephrite remains unaffected by a Bunsen burner but fuses slowly in a blowpipe flame, while warm acids have a slight effect on it.
Exploring Chinese Motifs in Jade and Their Meanings

Jade artisans craft a dazzling array of jewelry and objects, often infused with rich symbolism. Here are some common motifs and their meanings:

  • Mountains: Longevity
  • Bat: Happiness
  • Butterfly: Long life and love
  • Dragon: Power, prosperity, and goodness
  • Peach: Immortality
  • Bi (a circular disk with a hole in the middle): Heaven
  • Two Men, the “Jade Twins”: Friendship

 The Chinese Symbolism of Color:

Green is the traditional and most prized color of jade, but it also appears in black, white, purple, blue, yellow, red, and orange. While all jade shares similar symbolism, additional meanings can be derived from the stone’s color:

  • Green: Friendship, harmony, and renewal
  • Red: Energy, life, and love
  • Yellow: Optimism, success, and generosity
  • Orange: Ambition, vitality, and libido
  • Blue: Loyalty, freedom, and faith
  • Purple: Insight, peace, and devotion
  • Black: Elegance, security, and pride
  • White: Purity, truth, and clarity

 

Images: 

Imperial Jade                                      Lavender Jade                         Blue Jaidate                                                   

 

Lavender Jade                       Nephrite Jade                                      Green Jaidate

                           

 

Nephrite Jade                           White Jade                              Green Nephrite

                                         

 

A jade carving alongside six jade cabochons in various colours. Image by Gem-A.

 

Ref- Examples of nephrite jade. Image by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

 

Want more? Testing for Jade Gemstones

Observation is key when it comes to testing jade. The cryptocrystalline structure of nephrite cannot be seen even under magnification. Jadeite on the contrary can show a strongly granular structure of interlocking pyroxene crystals, sometimes looking more fibrous in any intensely green areas. Some translucent varieties such as water jade show very little structure.

Ref- A magnification of jadeite jade shows its tough polycrystalline structure. Image by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

 

Ref- The ‘orange peel’ effect visible on the surface of a jade specimen. Image by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

 

In Conclusion: Which Holds More Value?

Ultimately, jadeite holds the title for most valuable, with its vivid, even color and high transparency. The texture is crucial, too; jadeite that boasts a fine texture—indicating densely packed, invisible-to-the-naked-eye crystals—has a smooth, lustrous surface that’s highly desirable.

 

If you’re curious for more, check out these resources:

 

 

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